Make flawless miters on your router table

For cutting miters in small project parts, nothing matches the dead-on accurate results of a router table equipped with a chamfer bit. Because the angle is machined into the bit rather than being set by eye, as on a mitersaw or tablesaw, there's no opportunity for error.

Begin by cutting your workpieces to final width and length. At the same time, also cut a plywood or MDF template to the same dimensions. (Because this technique calls for removing the flat edge of the workpiece, the template provides a surface to ride against the bit's bearing.) Double-face tape the template to the "good" face of the workpiece (right), keeping the ends and edges flush.

Adjust the router-table fence so it sits flush with the bit bearing, and the bit height to cut the full thickness of the workpiece, leaving the template untouched. With the help of a scrapwood backer block to keep the workpiece steady during machining, make the cut. Rotate the workpiece and cut the opposite end. Reuse the MDF template for identical pieces.

Note: If your router lacks the power to make a full-depth chamfer cut, make a template for each workpiece and cut all the workpieces at partial depth. Adjust the bit depth and cut all the parts again, creeping up to the final depth.

More Resources

Strengthen those miters with splines. See the jig at woodmagazine.com/splinejig